LIFESTYLE CHANGE

Our love for Tamarindo began about five years ago. At the time, as with every year for the holiday season, we were looking for a holiday destination. Our number one priority was, of course, the weather; like all those who take vacations in winter and coming from “Nordic” countries. After being in the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida and even Colombia, we wanted a less popular destination for North Americans, yet still accessible without too many complications.

So we searched on Google Earth. It's amazing what you can find on this site when you want to travel! When you look at some places, you even have the impression of being already there! We first looked at Brazil, but given the number of flight hours that it takes to get to.... Doing another search, our eyes fell on one of the smaller countries of Central America ... Costa Rica. We looked across the country, as we wanted to vacation on the seashore. We found a place in Costa Rica, where the ocean seemed more blue and turquoise than all other beaches in the country. We saw our next vacation destination, but more, where we would move and live another life: The village of Tamarindo.

After spending a month's vacation in a rented condo, it was really hard to take the plane for our return to Quebec. The warm weather, sun, warm sea, the great white sand beach, the friendly people and the atmosphere of 31 December on the beach at midnight .... so many things that make a pleasant holiday. And not to forget our stay at the condo where Julius, the owner, was able to make a very pleasant visit. We watched and visited some properties during the rental period with the help of Courtney at Remax Ocean Surf, in order to have our own home /condo during our next vacation. As Canadians, we were looking for a real estate agency and brand known for stability and security. It was our first purchase abroad, which is why we sought with Remax. But at the time, the prices were too high for our budget, so we asked Courtney to email us what might interest us and fit into our budget. On our return to Quebec, routine led us again, as everyone in the whirlwind of work, and life in Tamarindo was soon forgotten. As time passed, the more we wanted to go back ... So, after two long years of waiting, we had the means and made the necessary decisions.

So we found an unfinished house, with Courtney, and did complete it to our liking. The process took us 12 months. As the project progressed, and our ideas evolved, the less we wanted to return to Canada ... then a few months later, we decided to take a chance and move for 1-2 years! And for this, the first step was to sell our house and property in Quebec. It seemed the most difficult step, but the house was sold in a few days! The second step was to convince our 13 year old son to start a secondary school near Tamarindo. It was believed that the change would be difficult, as there are American private schools available to non -residents in Costa Rica, but students and teachers speak only English. As our son spoke only French ... the decision was quite difficult to make.... but three months after beginning his new school, our son spoke fluent English with no accent!

Today we moved to full-time, our son has just started his second school year, and we have just started as agents at Remax Ocean Surf, working with the best team ever! And now we can accommodate a growing number of French speakers who have the same dream than us, living differently. Do not be afraid to accomplish your dreams and live, the best is yet to come. And, as we often say, "if you don’t do nothing, nothing’s gonna happen" !